On the day that Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, announced its decision to dissolve the current regime, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained his focus on Israel’s growing security challenges, voicing his resolve to continue confronting Jerusalem’s primary threat, namely, the Islamic Republic of Iran. In an address Netanyahu made at a graduation ceremony of Israeli Air Force pilots, the Prime Minister vowed to continue to act vigorously against Iran’s ongoing attempts to entrench itself militarily in Israel’s northern neighbors, Lebanon and Syria. According to the Prime Minister, “We are not prepared to accept the Iranian military entrenchment in Syria which is directed against us. We will act against it vigorously and continuously including during the current period. I have said that we will not be deterred from doing what is necessary. Therefore, we are called upon and we act. President Trump’s decision to withdraw the American soldiers from Syria will not change our policy. We are standing steadfast on our red lines in Syria and everywhere else.” Echoing the Prime Minister’s aggressive position toward Iran, Israel’s Air Force commanding officer, General Amikam Norkin, said that the activities pursued by the Islamic Republic continue to threaten Israel’s peace and security, which demand continued preventative measures against the Revolutionary Guards in Syria. Norkin stated that “With the extraordinary cooperation of the intelligence branch, we prevented the establishment of an Iranian military capability in Syria. It’s not the end of the story, and if necessary, we will act with the same determination and precision, on the basis of the professionalism demonstrated by air force personnel on the ground and in the air.”
